Facebook under fire; breastfeeding pics.

[Pure]

take the poll above. do you agree with facebook's taking down breastfeeding pics?

http://www.breastfeeding123.com/facebook-under-fire-over-breastfeeding-photos/


Facebook under Fire over Breastfeeding Photos

by Angela White, J.D.,
breastfeeding counselor
on September 8th, 2007

Facebook followed in the steps of MySpace and LiveJournal as it began removing breastfeeding pictures under the premise that they are “obscene.” In a backlash against Facebook, breastfeeding advocates have started a new group entitled “Hey, Facebook, breastfeeding is not obscene (official petition to Facebook).” (Registration is required to view or become a member of the group). Over 8,300 members have joined the group in support of the following petition:

Recently, Facebook has started ‘pulling a myspace’ by not allowing people to post profile pictures of babies nursing. The pictures have been reported as ‘obscene’ and have been removed- their posters warned not to repost or fear being kicked off of Facebook.
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see story at several sites, including below, which has a picture that may be deemed obscene--areola showing.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/web/breast-ban-incurs-lactivists-wrath/2007/09/07/1188783470779.html

 

[Liar]

In a breastfeeding pic, isn't the nipple bit kinda covered? So it's no more skin exposure than a deep cleveage or a low cut bikini. What criteria for obscenity is there? Unless the one doing the sucking is an adult, I don't see what the fuss is about.

 

[jomar]

Silly.

 

[XXNoraJeanXX]

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[Stella_Omega]

I wonder what this backlash is all about, I really do.

Yesterday I was subjected to morning talk radio, something I avoid whenever possible. The two-guys-and-syncopant-girl team were talking about how gross it is, when a mother "whip it out" to feed her baby in public.

 

[jomar]

I wonder what this backlash is all about, I really do.

Yesterday I was subjected to morning talk radio, something I avoid whenever possible. The two-guys-and-syncopant-girl team were talking about how gross it is, when a mother "whip it out" to feed her baby in public.

How did we get to be such prudes (in the US) what with all the sexualizing of everything going on? Sheesh.

 

[3113]

How did we get to be such prudes (in the US) what with all the sexualizing of everything going on? Sheesh.

But that's the thing. I don't think it's "prudes." I think it's men (primarily) who want to keep breasts sexualized and not be reminded that the purpose of a breast is to suckle a baby.

We'll grant, of course, that the prudes also want this act kept under wraps, of course. But the prudes want women covered up head-to-toe all the time as well.

In the end, the focus on breastfeeding is, I think, a two-point attack. On the one hand, it's an attack by those who don't like being reminded that women are more than just sexual objects; the other hand is that it's an attack by conservatives who view public breastfeeding as the provence of liberal types (it's the sort of thing that started with the hippies and the women's movement). Hence, they attack it to bring down said hippies and feminists. You get back the "bottle in public" and the feminists go back in the closet where they belong, and women become more lady-like, as they ought to be.

 

[The_Fool]

But that's the thing. I don't think it's "prudes." I think it's men (primarily) who want to keep breasts sexualized and not be reminded that the purpose of a breast is to suckle a baby.

We'll grant, of course, that the prudes also want this act kept under wraps, of course. But the prudes want women covered up head-to-toe all the time as well.

In the end, the focus on breastfeeding is, I think, a two-point attack. On the one hand, it's an attack by those who don't like being reminded that women are more than just sexual objects; the other hand is that it's an attack by conservatives who view public breastfeeding as the provence of liberal types (it's the sort of thing that started with the hippies and the women's movement). Hence, they attack it to bring down said hippies and feminists. You get back the "bottle in public" and the feminists go back in the closet where they belong, and women become more lady-like, as they ought to be.

Can they wear dresses and high heels to do housework too? June Cleaver....

ETA: Forgot the pearls. Gotta have pearls...

 

[3113]

Can they wear dresses and high heels to do housework too? June Cleaver....

ETA: Forgot the pearls. Gotta have pearls...

But of course! They can use that new Hoover vacuum cleaner you bought them.

http://www.jitterbuzz.com/furn/hoover_vac_ad.jpg

 

[BBWcanBsexy2]

Makes Me Mad!

I fucken hate our society! Breastfeeding is NATURAL and BEAUTIFUL and there is absolutely NOTHING sexual about it what so ever! If they pan breastfeeding pictures, then they need to ban ALL nursing animals pictures/videos!

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

Yes yes and yes. Especially if the baby is over the legal age of 18 and mommy has a particularly nice rake

 

[jomar]

But that's the thing. I don't think it's "prudes." I think it's men (primarily) who want to keep breasts sexualized and not be reminded that the purpose of a breast is to suckle a baby.

We'll grant, of course, that the prudes also want this act kept under wraps, of course. But the prudes want women covered up head-to-toe all the time as well.

In the end, the focus on breastfeeding is, I think, a two-point attack. On the one hand, it's an attack by those who don't like being reminded that women are more than just sexual objects; the other hand is that it's an attack by conservatives who view public breastfeeding as the provence of liberal types (it's the sort of thing that started with the hippies and the women's movement). Hence, they attack it to bring down said hippies and feminists. You get back the "bottle in public" and the feminists go back in the closet where they belong, and women become more lady-like, as they ought to be.

Maybe. My comment was aimed more generally, but I didn't elaborate. The BBC had boobs and what not on public tv twenty years ago and nobody raised an eyebrow. And I'm not talking about Monty Python. Just that bodies and sex was natural and human and part of life and nothing to get get all twisted about. But in the US, it's a bit schizo. On the one hand everything is sexualized in ads and articles/tv. We see everything she's got in prime time on the Academy Awards red carpet, but get bent out of shape with a wardrobe malfunction at the Superbowl - no tits are allowed on network tv unless covered by sheer gauze!

I think most men can have their sexualized breasts and still appreciate their importance to life/babies. I agree it's the vocal conservatives, as usual, who are repressed and threatened about their own desires and impulses. A giant group reaction formation, if you will. Or something like that.

What say we start a two-point petition: 1) tits on prime time network tv and 2) tv housework should be by women wearing dresses, high heels and pearls. The two are not mutually exclusive. And if you ladies want to add a third point, feel free.

 

[3113]

What say we start a two-point petition: 1) tits on prime time network tv and 2) tv housework should be by women wearing dresses, high heels and pearls. The two are not mutually exclusive. And if you ladies want to add a third point, feel free.

Well, I'm still waiting for near naked guys doing the housework myself....

 

[rgraham666]

Well, I'm still waiting for near naked guys doing the housework myself....

I do housework. Mostly clothed though.

Dust gets into the oddest places.

 

[jomar]

Well, I'm still waiting for near naked guys doing the housework myself....

*strips to boxers and hefts a full laundry basket under one arm*

 

[3113]

*strips to boxers and hefts a full laundry basket under one arm*

Swoon!

 

[Vermilion]

*strips to boxers and hefts a full laundry basket under one arm*

<fans self and swoons>
Marry me!

 

[Vermilion]

Swoon!

Oops- Great Minds...
Should have read your post first!

 

[Selena_Kitt]

I fucken hate our society! Breastfeeding is NATURAL and BEAUTIFUL and there is absolutely NOTHING sexual about it what so ever! If they pan breastfeeding pictures, then they need to ban ALL nursing animals pictures/videos!

I agree... but disagree... guess I should explain...

Breastfeeding IS sexual, actually, in that it involves a sexual/erogenous part of the body. Nipple stimulation causes uterine contractions... and uterine contractions are the result of orgasms... they're also what gets the baby out I've actually had an orgasm while nursing a baby. It was a totally physical response, and since I was asleep (I fell asleep while nursing and woke up from a "wet dream" realizing the baby was still latched on) I'm sure my inhibitions were down, and my body simply responded to the stimuli. Nursing feels good. A lot of women won't admit that, but it's true. Nature made nursing feel good so that we would want to do it... and babies would get fed. Makes sense to me.

But I do agree that it's natural and beautiful... but it IS sexual. You can't divorce that from the process. Natural, beautiful and sexual aren't mutually exclusive. It's our wanting to split off the sexual aspect of it that's the real problem, I think... men didn't sexualize breasts... nature did. For a good reason. It's our cultural madonna/whore split that makes it an issue.

 

[somberReality]

That IS why we all have boobs......to breastfeed.

Kinda defeating the purpose to fuss about pics showing why women have boobs to begin with. *rolls eyes*

 

[JamesSD]

That IS why we all have boobs......to breastfeed.

Kinda defeating the purpose to fuss about pics showing why women have boobs to begin with. *rolls eyes*

If this was true, women would only have enlarged breasts for nursing, and the rest of their lives would be AA-cups.

Human female permanent enlarged breasts evolved to attract male attention as a sign of fertility. I suppose there's somewhat of a chicken-egg thing.

Anyways, my feeling on breastfeeding pics is if there's no nipple, it's not R-rated, and thus should be fine for MySpace/Facebook. I don't think a bare breast is ever "obscene" by standard definitions, but I can see the cultural desire to keep bare nipples out of social networking sites.

Finally, who posts pics of themselves breastfeeding on their profile? Is the act of having a child that all consuming?

 

[3113]

But I do agree that it's natural and beautiful... but it IS sexual.

I think what pro-breast feeding folk mean when they say it isn't "sexual" is that the BABY isn't doing it for sexual gratification (nor is mom for that matter even if it does feel good).

The conflict with those opposed to public breast feeding has to do, I think, with the fact that grown men suckle on nipples to get sexually aroused (NOT for sustenance). Hence, a baby suckling a nipple--or worse, a toddler seems--obscene because it brings to mind sex and ONLY sex, not sustinance.

Believe me, Selena, when people call breast feeding "obscene" they aren't thinking about the woman getting turned on. Likewise, those in favor of breast feeding would be doing themselves no good at all to point out that women have orgasms while breast feeding. That would *certainly* make it seem like something that ought not to be done in public.

 

[somberReality]

If this was true, women would only have enlarged breasts for nursing, and the rest of their lives would be AA-cups.

Human female permanent enlarged breasts evolved to attract male attention as a sign of fertility. I suppose there's somewhat of a chicken-egg thing.

Anyways, my feeling on breastfeeding pics is if there's no nipple, it's not R-rated, and thus should be fine for MySpace/Facebook. I don't think a bare breast is ever "obscene" by standard definitions, but I can see the cultural desire to keep bare nipples out of social networking sites.

Finally, who posts pics of themselves breastfeeding on their profile? Is the act of having a child that all consuming?

And men would have a 24/7 erection.

Wait, they do!!

 

[JamesSD]

And men would have a 24/7 erection.

Wait, they do!!

Haha, well, not an erection per say, but we are generally "in heat" 24/7, unless we just had sex!

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Finally, who posts pics of themselves breastfeeding on their profile? Is the act of having a child that all consuming?

I've posted and shared nursing pictures before. Actually, I've posted and shared birth pictures, too... beginning to end. I'm in the birth field, so I'm probably not the "norm" but I still find nothing wrong with it... in fact, I enjoy both nursing and birth pictures. I don't find people who post them any more self-absorbed than bloggers or people who post... oh, whatever--pictures of their ceramic plate collections or star wars figures--on the Internet. Actually, I'd put nursing pictures, as having inherent value, over those things... but that's me.

those in favor of breast feeding would be doing themselves no good at all to point out that women have orgasms while breast feeding. That would *certainly* make it seem like something that ought not to be done in public

Certainly in our culture, with the prevalent attitudes, it would cause ire. But the fact is that oxytocin, the same hormone that causes orgasm/uterine contractions and which are brought on through nipple stimulation (among other things) is also the "love/trust" hormone. It's the thing that causes us to feel love... a great deal of it is released during orgasm... it's also released in great quantities in BOTH baby and mother during nursing. Love and sex are inextricably linked for women in that way, biologically and psychologically. Mothers NEED to fall in love with their babies and nature uses a sex hormone to get the job done. That WE dissociate the two is our preogative. Nature doesn't differentiate.